Simona Halep

Romania's greatest ever tennis player — two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.

Simona Halep was born in Constanța, Romania in 1991 and turned professional in 2006. She won two Grand Slam singles titles: the French Open in 2018, defeating Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the final, and Wimbledon in 2019, defeating Serena Williams 6-2, 6-2 in one of the most complete final-round performances in Open Era history — with only 14 unforced errors across the entire match. She reached the world number one ranking in October 2017 and accumulated 64 weeks there. She reached the French Open final three times (2014, 2017, 2018). She won the WTA Finals in 2016. She won 24 WTA singles titles across her career. A four-year ban imposed following a positive test for roxadustat at the 2022 US Open was subsequently reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2024, with expert evidence presenting a case for contamination through a supplement. She returned to competition in 2024. She is the most successful Romanian tennis player in history, male or female.

Halep is known for her exceptional defensive skills, court coverage, and ability to turn defense into attack. She possesses excellent anticipation and movement, allowing her to retrieve seemingly impossible shots and extend rallies. Her game is built around consistency, mental toughness, and strategic shot placement rather than raw power.

Halep inspired a generation of Romanian tennis players and elevated the profile of tennis in Eastern Europe. She demonstrated that consistent, intelligent play could triumph over power tennis at the highest level.

• French Open 2018
• Wimbledon 2019
• WTA Finals 2003 (doubles)
• Year-end No.1 2017, 2018
• Nastase Trophy (Romanian Sportswoman of Year) multiple
• 2-year doping ban 2022–2023 (contested)